Busch going yard at Busch? Here are some quirky name-ballpark combos

By Sarah Langs | May 24, 2024

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Michael Busch, who tied a Cubs record earlier this year by homering in five straight games, has a chance to do something historic this weekend.

It’s his first-ever series at Busch Stadium. No player named Busch, or Bush, or any other version of the name, has homered at any iteration of Busch Stadium, since Sportsman’s Park was renamed in 1953.

Busch can become the first Busch to homer at Busch.

Yes, this is silly – but it’s also quite fun to think about. How many players have homered in a ballpark that bears their name?

To be clear, the research we publish on this site is always accurate and airtight. This, however, is an inexact science. There may be ballpark name combos we didn’t think to check, but we considered as many as possible, and tried to be as generous as possible with homophones, since this is all for fun.

The rules:

  1. It had to be that venue’s name at the time
  2. Actual names, per a player page, baseball card or scoreboard – no nicknames unless it was widely known as your name (Joe, yes; Mr. Tiger, no)
  3. No credit for Park or Field(s), since they’re part of most

Let’s get to it. Here’s a look at players to homer in ballparks that share their name.

Active Parks, Current Names

Chase Field: The venue assumed its current name in 2005, and since then, has witnessed homers from Chase Utley (four) and Chase Headley (three). Utley was the first to do so, with two on Aug. 26, 2005.

Camden Yards: Are we giving partial credit? No player named Camden or Cam has done this yet, but we have seen homers at the venue from Cameron Maybin (two), Mike Cameron (two) and Ken Caminiti.

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Active Parks, Inactive Names

Miller Park: What is now American Family Field was Miller Park through 2020. In that span, Damian Miller (10), Brad Miller (three) and Bill Mueller – pronounced Miller – (three) homered there. Mueller was first, on May 17, 2002.

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Bank One Ballpark: Before it was Chase Field, it was Bank One Ballpark, or The Bob – which is also why the team’s mascot is a bobcat. Thus, it’s only fair we note the Bobs to homer there through 2004 when it bore the name: Bobby Estalella (two), Bobby Bonilla, Bob Hamelin, Bobby Higginson and Bobby Abreu.

Jacobs Field: Through 2007, Progressive Field was named Jacobs Field. One player who went by Jacob or Jake homered there: Jacob Cruz, who hit six of his 19 career home runs there, five while playing for Cleveland. Imagine being able to say you shared a name with the venue you homered at most frequently in your career.

Pacific Bell Park: From 2000-03, what is now Oracle Park was Pac Bell. In that span, it had homers from David Bell (seven), Jay Bell (two) and Doug Mirabelli (two).

Defunct Parks

Turner Field: Three Turners homered at Turner Field – Trea (five), Chris and Justin. The best part? The first of Trea’s five home runs at the venue was his first career long ball, on Sept. 29, 2015.

Kingdome: The Kingdome hosted homers from Dave Kingman (12), Mike Kingery (nine) and Jeff King (three). Leading the way among the Kings at the Kingdome is Rey Quiñones, with 16 of his 29 career home runs, by far his most at any park.

Jack Murphy Stadium: What opened as San Diego Stadium was known as Jack Murphy from 1981-97. Jack Clark hit 36 homers there, Jack Howell had three, Dale Murphy had 18 and Dwayne Murphy hit one. And don’t forget Darrin Jackson (25) and Chuck Jackson.

Joe Robbie Stadium: The Marlins’ first home had this name until partway through the ‘96 season. In that span, it saw homers from three Joes: Orsulak (three), Girardi and Oliver. There were also two by Robby Thompson, and don’t forget Roberto Kelly (two), Roberto Mejia, Roberto Petagine and Rob Deer.

RFK Stadium: The venue housed the Senators from 1962-71 and the Nationals from 2005-07. It was renamed from D.C. Stadium to Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 1969. Since then, it had homers from Adam Kennedy and Robert Fick (two). Plus, there was Dave Roberts and Roberto Peña. John Kennedy did hit seven there, but all were before ‘69.

Griffith Stadium: The Senators’ home was called National Park, American League Park and then was renamed for Clark Griffith in 1923. No Griffith homers, but Allie Clark did have two.

Three Rivers Stadium: No River or Rivers homers, but Ruben Rivera did hit one.

Baker Bowl: The venue, which began as National League Park, was referred to as the Baker Bowl starting in 1923. Bill Brubaker hit three homers there.

Shea Stadium: We’re giving credit to Danny Sheaffer.

Candlestick Park: The Giants’ prior home was called Candlestick through partway into the ’95 season. Candy Maldonado hit 27 homers there, and Casey Candaele, pronounced can-DELL, had two.

Connie Mack Stadium: Shibe Park was renamed for Connie Mack in 1953. It witnessed three homers from Connie Ryan and three from Mack Jones.

In case you were wondering…

We also checked:

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